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How to Cook Your Cam Sprockets

I decided to spray my cam sprockets to match my engine. I had cleaned and scrubbed all the dirt from the aluminum block but it does tarnish and without heroic efforts, I just wouldn't get that shiny "new" look as it was originally 20 years ago.

Of course I am using engine enamel. Cheap Krylon not meant for engines will last all of about 8 month before it peels due to the heat of the engine. A requirement of the engine enamel is that it be heated to 200 F in order to harden the coating. No problem for the engine block, just drive the car. But for other parts like the cam sprockets, if they are getting up to 200 F then your engine is on fire.

SO of course you will need to "cook" them at 200 F for one hours, as it states on the can, in order to get a durable finish. Being a bachelor, I could certainly just turn on the oven in the house. But for the sake of you married and cohabiting mechanics, I urge you not to do so for you will suffer the wrath of "the other".

What is a good self respecting man to do? That's right, fire up the barbecue!

Amazingly, the rules for "cooking" are similar to those used in regular baking (at least with the VHT product). Low and slow for a light finish such as silverish aluminum. If you crank up the burners you get a golden brown color.

You can see below I "overcooked" my cam sprocket. I kind of like it even it if is a bit ricer like:

I used the exact same paint on the block as on the sprocket. The only difference is the temp used to cook them. I used both burners on high. This was probably closer to 500 F than 200. The engine hasn't been started yet so it hasn't gotten warm.

I guess it is also a way to visually tell if I overheat the engine. My block will turn to gold.

lmao! Love it! Luckily I have an understanding other half who's crafting stinks things up just as much or more than my baking parts in the oven. Of course, a good range vent helps a lot. A just a common sense note: Don't cook freshly painted parts. Flame on!!! lol